Furious Merckx denies cancer reports

Eddy Merckx has reacted angrily to reports in the media that he suffered from intestinal cancer a few years ago, according to Het Nieuwsblad. The Belgian media, and several news agencies, reported a conversation that apparently took place between Merckx and a Belgian journalist when the Cannibal spoke of his recovery and avoidance of champagne and white wine.

"I've never had cancer, hell!" said an angry Merckx in Doha. "Where do they get it from? I've never had cancer."

"This goes too far. People who write such things should sometimes think about what they’re doing."

After his apparently sudden weight loss a few years ago, the legendary cyclist reportedly had to put up with any amount of speculation as to the reason. "I also had to read and hear that I’d had a gastric ring put in to lose weight," he said. "More nonsense. The fact is, I suffered from an overactive thyroid, which I need medication for."